A letter from the founder
I've always wanted to build and run my own business.
My first attempt at doing so was when I decided to stray from the clear path set out before me as a newly-minted CPA at a Big 4 accounting firm. Still living at home with my parents (and before my wife, two kids, a dog and a mortgage came into the equation) I decided to bet on myself and take my YouTube channel seriously.
5 years later, I had sold my recording gear, moved out of my basement and headed back into a corporate office at my new job in Finance.
The ‘failed’ launch of my YouTube channel into a full-time career was difficult to face. Now, looking back on that experience almost 10 years later, I can see just how much I learned about myself during that time. The business side of content creation came naturally to me. I was great at putting together the systems, tools and knowledge to operate as a business, but I didn’t love creating content the same way the most successful creators do.
Around that time, a friend of mine grew their YouTube channel to over 500K subscribers in a matter of months. They then launched an online course and made half a million dollars in short order, with no idea how big their impending personal tax bill was going to be. When they told me how well things were going, I suggested they incorporate so more of that money could stay in the business at a lower tax rate. Within a few days, I had their corporation set up, and by the time their tax bill came due, they kept 70% of the money that was earmarked for taxes if they hadn’t incorporated.
My friend, and other creators like them, have much more creative talent, are able to be authentically themselves on camera and can build loyal audiences around them. I realized that I have a different set of skills that perfectly complement creators who want to build lasting businesses. This experience sparked my next business idea.
I’m building Hashmark Group so that I can do what I love and also build the best life that I can for my family. This time, I also get to help others like you chase that same dream. I could have worked with any kind of business or entrepreneur, but I chose creators because I've been one, and I understand what it takes to overcome their unique challenges in a way that few others do.
My favourite creators succeed by being themselves and doing what they love. At Hashmark Group, we take care of everything else so they can keep creating for as long as they can.
- P.J. Carino, CPA, CA
Hashmark Group |
other firms |
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|---|---|---|
| Who we work with | Creators only | Rarely creators (if ever) |
| How we bill our clients | One fixed monthly fee | By the hour |
| How we advise | Tailored to your goals | Generic |
| Tax strategies | Optimized for creators | Standard |
| How we explain things | Simple & visually | Technical jargon |
| How clients see us | Part of the team | They don't, until tax time |
How does Hashmark Group compare to other firms?
Let’s create something together
FAQs
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Yes - but with modified service offerings. We are a firm made up of Canadian CPAs, which means our technical expertise lies within the confines of Canadian legal and tax regulations. For our Canadian clients, we are able to provide our full suite of services. For international creators, including those based in the US, we are happy to provide our bookkeeping, advisory and file management services. At the moment, we are not yet equipped to provide international creators with tax, incorporation and payroll services.
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Every creator has their own unique business challenges and needs. Once we meet with you to discuss the needs of your business, we develop a custom-built service package that is priced right for you. Our clients sign up to work with us on a recurring, annual basis and are charged a fixed monthly fee. Our fee includes the fees for our services plus any charges we incur for necessary software on your behalf (for example, the Quickbooks subscription for your business). With Hashmark Group, you never have to worry about incurring extra charges for answering your calls.
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It starts with a discovery call where we’ll learn about you and your business and discuss the biggest pain points and needs of your business. With that information, we’ll build you a custom service package and once we agree on the services and price, we’ll work with you to transfer your financial data securely, and get you up to speed with our workflow and systems.
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We ensure the security of your financial data through encrypted communication and secure document management systems. All of your sensitive data and documents are stored in cloud-based platforms with advanced security protocols, ensuring compliance with all necessary privacy regulations. Our team follows strict confidentiality practices, so you can trust that your information is protected and secured at all times.
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We use leading cloud accounting software like QuickBooks Online and Xero to manage your business finances. Depending on the needs of your business, we will also recommend other tools that will help you to further streamline your business’ operations - such as payroll software, e-commerce accounting software or data/analytics tools. We are also happy to integrate with the platforms you already use, and for any of your existing financial tools, it’s likely that you can purchase it through us at a cheaper price.
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Absolutely! As part of our Business Advisory service, we help you develop a budget to manage your income and expenses, and help make sure you stay on track to hit your long-term goals. Once your budget is developed, you’ll be able to view your progress against it in your cloud-accounting platform and in our custom reports.